Relationship between Diabetes and Covid 19

Hello friends as we all know what’s covid 19 actually. Well let me explain you that how the deadly corona virus infects and its transmission. Corona virus means crown shaped virus which transmits from human to human through droplets of infection. Droplets shed by a patient through sneezing, coughing and touch can cause infection to the other person. The window period of the virus is 14 days where the symptoms can appear.

Covid 19 completely compromises the immunity of the person. It hampers the normal living. Some patients are carriers and completely asymptomatic, which can prove dangerous. These patients are usually not aware of them being carriers and they transmit the disease. In India, though the recovery rate is high nearly 70 % still many being carriers of the infection.

When a person suffering from an uncontrolled diabetes suffers from covid his immunity is compromised a lot. Along with symptoms of Covid like sneezing, coughing, fever, bodyache, loss of taste etc it can worsen the Diabetes and it’s complications. Diabetes and Covid 19 is a deadly combination. A person suffering from pre existing diabetes, blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases are at high risk of getting infected by corona virus. Older people suffering from Diabetes are more prone to get infected.

Image credits: Sciencedirect.com

Pathogenesis of Covid19 in Diabetes:

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) SARS-CoV 2 infection itself represents worsening factor for people with diabetes,  precipitate acute metabolic complications through direct negative effects on pancreatic β-cell function. These effects on pancreatic β-cell function can also lead to diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with diabetes. Hyperglycaemia or raised sugar levels at hospital admission in individuals with unknown history of diabetes and potentially pre diabetic state is very common presentation.

Diabetic patients have impaired immune-response to infection in relation to both cytokine profile and to changes in immune-responses including T-cell and macrophage activation. Poor glycaemic control hampers several aspects of the immune response to viral infection and also to the potential bacterial secondary infection in the lungs.

Epidemiology:

Initial studies has revealed a J-curve relationship between HbA1c and risk of individuals being admitted to hospital for infections in general, and infections of the respiratory tract in particular. A prospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 from New York City,  USA, revealed that the prevalence of diabetes and obesity was higher in individuals admitted to hospital than those not admitted to hospital. In around 7 meta analysis study, showed that around 67% of people in India suffering with Diabetes are at higher risk with Covid 19.

Signs and symptoms of Covid19 in diabetes:

• Fever
• Cough persistent
• Pneumonia ground glass opacity
• Pressure on chest
• Loss of taste
• Muscle pain
• Difficulty in breathing
• Increased frequency of urination due to Diabetes
• Itching all over the body due to uncontrolled Diabetes

Management of Diabetes and Covid 19:

• One should regularly monitor blood sugar levels.
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Take necessary precautions like wearing mask and gloves, socks to avoid contact with virus.
• Take your Diabetes medicine regularly.
• Keep yourself well hydrated.
• Take multivitamins like vitamin C and zinc on daily basis and weekly Vitamin D if advised by your doctor.
• If diabetes is uncontrolled, then visit to your diabetologist at the earliest. Take insulin injections as prescribed by your doctor.
• If a person suffering from Diabetes is exposed to virus, take your anti biotics and prescribed medication regularly along with anti-diabetic medication.

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Awareness is Prevention.

 

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